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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
“Off Season” read so much smoother than I was anticipating. It’s become a classic already, and there’s good reason for it. It’s quick, entertaining as hell, and an unforgettable read. The ending felt pretty weak, it was rushed and didn’t offer much to go off of (probably because of the sequel, but still, a solid ending would’ve been preferred). I’ve been meaning to read this book for well over a decade at this point, so it feels great to finally cross it off my TBR. Definitely gonna finish out the series sooner rather than later.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I should have learned long ago that Jack Ketchum just isn't my cup of tea.
Everything about this fell a bit flat for me. No character depth, weak plot line, no back story to our villains. Just some horny folks in a cabin in the woods, and a disgruntled police officer who should have retired ages ago.
Wad it gory? Yes. Was it beyond brutal? Also yes. However it felt that the attempts at shocking the reader with violence far outweighed any attempt at building a storyline worth following. More attention was put into the spice level than the actual plot line and that just isn't my thing.
If you're into brutal gore stories with nonplots, this is for you.
Everything about this fell a bit flat for me. No character depth, weak plot line, no back story to our villains. Just some horny folks in a cabin in the woods, and a disgruntled police officer who should have retired ages ago.
Wad it gory? Yes. Was it beyond brutal? Also yes. However it felt that the attempts at shocking the reader with violence far outweighed any attempt at building a storyline worth following. More attention was put into the spice level than the actual plot line and that just isn't my thing.
If you're into brutal gore stories with nonplots, this is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
'The Hills Have Eyes' in book form.
As a reader, I have heard a lot about Jack Kethum's infamy over the years, yet I'd never gotten around to actually reading one of his novels. The closest I'd been to him was seeing about ten minutes of the movie version of 'The Girl Next Door' on cable one day. Despite being warned about the brutality and violence level, I still found myself shocked when reading this one, as it really is quite brutal.
The story here is one that you have probably seen in horror movies a hundred times over. A group of city people head out into the country and stay in a remote house, while unbeknownst to them, they're being stalked by backwards, hillbilly cannibals. The plot is relatively straight forward, and worked for the novel, as then it all became about the suspense. I also liked that it generally took place all in one setting, as the city people get trapped in the house trying to fend off these cannibals and barricade themselves in. It was more tense than having them running around being chased in the surrounding woods.
The violence in this book is very brutal, and also a little gratuitous in places. You can kind of tell that the author wants to shock you with the violence, yet I don't really think the novel would be as successful if it was toned down. Suffice to say, if detailed descriptions of cannibalism, sexual assault or violence against children are something you don't want to read, you probably aren't even considering to read this book anyway.
While I do give this novel four stars, it has to be said that the characters are not the strongest. I can kind of forgive it in a way since it is such an old novel (first published in 1980), but it does begin to get a little cloudy on who is who, until the cast of characters is culled down to a more manageable size. I will say that I did like the ending, unlike some others here.
Overall, if horror/gore novels are you thing then this is a definite recommendation for you. It's also interesting for the afterword by the author, who systematically goes through all the things that needed to be cut in the novels original publication and which has been reproduced in this more modern final cut.
As a reader, I have heard a lot about Jack Kethum's infamy over the years, yet I'd never gotten around to actually reading one of his novels. The closest I'd been to him was seeing about ten minutes of the movie version of 'The Girl Next Door' on cable one day. Despite being warned about the brutality and violence level, I still found myself shocked when reading this one, as it really is quite brutal.
The story here is one that you have probably seen in horror movies a hundred times over. A group of city people head out into the country and stay in a remote house, while unbeknownst to them, they're being stalked by backwards, hillbilly cannibals. The plot is relatively straight forward, and worked for the novel, as then it all became about the suspense. I also liked that it generally took place all in one setting, as the city people get trapped in the house trying to fend off these cannibals and barricade themselves in. It was more tense than having them running around being chased in the surrounding woods.
The violence in this book is very brutal, and also a little gratuitous in places. You can kind of tell that the author wants to shock you with the violence, yet I don't really think the novel would be as successful if it was toned down. Suffice to say, if detailed descriptions of cannibalism, sexual assault or violence against children are something you don't want to read, you probably aren't even considering to read this book anyway.
While I do give this novel four stars, it has to be said that the characters are not the strongest. I can kind of forgive it in a way since it is such an old novel (first published in 1980), but it does begin to get a little cloudy on who is who, until the cast of characters is culled down to a more manageable size. I will say that I did like the ending, unlike some others here.
Spoiler
The idea of Nick rising to become the hero, and right at the moment where he should be feeling proud of himself, getting shot by the people who were there to rescue them, was an interesting and memorable finale. I don't think the novel would have the same impact if Nick had actually lived.Overall, if horror/gore novels are you thing then this is a definite recommendation for you. It's also interesting for the afterword by the author, who systematically goes through all the things that needed to be cut in the novels original publication and which has been reproduced in this more modern final cut.
This is just trashy horror, and usually I like them but this was just not a fit for me.
This was giving 80s horny teenagers on a vacation cabin while a serial killer is loose in the forest behind. And trust me, I love that kind of campy horror, but this lacked any dimension. It just fell so flat for me.
Probably is a product of it's time, since it was actually published in 1980.
I don't see any reason to continue reading.
This was giving 80s horny teenagers on a vacation cabin while a serial killer is loose in the forest behind. And trust me, I love that kind of campy horror, but this lacked any dimension. It just fell so flat for me.
Probably is a product of it's time, since it was actually published in 1980.
I don't see any reason to continue reading.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
wow that was gross, everything but the gore was poorly written so i’m very conflicted. on one hand, women are not like this but on the other cannibal children ripping out someone’s throat?
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily!
This is the first book I've read from this author and it was definitely something. A lot of death, gore and cruelty. The details were very descriptive and it just leaves you at the edge of your seat in suspense hoping if notvpraying for these poor souls to make it out alive. The only complaint I have is how it flowed in the beginning. The chapters are time stamped but don't tell you where the characters are and it jumped around a lot. Of course the more I read the better the flow got.
A book about savages/ Cannibals and poor victims getting hunted? There is certainly a lot going on, action, terror, horror and so much bloodshed. I was not expecting such a read like this but I certainly enjoyed every moment of it. This book does contain torture, sexual scenes, cannibalism, language and a bit more. Don't read this book if your squeamish about reading about children death or people being cooked!
I think I'll be looking into more of this authors books and hopefully I'll get more into his writing.
This is the first book I've read from this author and it was definitely something. A lot of death, gore and cruelty. The details were very descriptive and it just leaves you at the edge of your seat in suspense hoping if notvpraying for these poor souls to make it out alive. The only complaint I have is how it flowed in the beginning. The chapters are time stamped but don't tell you where the characters are and it jumped around a lot. Of course the more I read the better the flow got.
A book about savages/ Cannibals and poor victims getting hunted? There is certainly a lot going on, action, terror, horror and so much bloodshed. I was not expecting such a read like this but I certainly enjoyed every moment of it. This book does contain torture, sexual scenes, cannibalism, language and a bit more. Don't read this book if your squeamish about reading about children death or people being cooked!
I think I'll be looking into more of this authors books and hopefully I'll get more into his writing.
So outrageous and shocking I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook. If you like horror movies, this book is for you.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Off Season’s an ok book. Not very memorable in its characters though definitely violent. Well written too, but again just not all that original or surprising.